Bill Text: IL HR0052 | 2025-2026 | 104th General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Mourns the passing of former State Representative Charles E. Jefferson and honors him for his years of dedicated service.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 23-0)

Status: (Passed) 2025-01-29 - Added Co-Sponsor Rep. Robyn Gabel [HR0052 Detail]

Download: Illinois-2025-HR0052-Introduced.html

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HR0052 LRB104 09608 MST 19673 r
HOUSE RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of
Representatives are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of
former State Representative Charles E. Jefferson, who served
the 67th District with distinction from April 2001 until his
retirement on July 1, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson was born on March 31, 1945 in
Waco, Texas to Lee Sr. and Victoria Jefferson; he is survived
by nine siblings; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson was drafted into the United States
Army at the age of 20, where he served honorably for six years
and achieved the rank of sergeant in the military police; he
was stationed in Japan for four years and met his wife, Genell,
while both were serving in the army; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson and his wife settled in Rockford
in the early 1970s after their military service, where they
built a life together and raised their three sons, Carl
Edward, Curtis Lamar, and Charles Jr.; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson worked primarily as a car salesman
for many years, where his friendly demeanor and dedication to
service earned him great respect in the community; he was also

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active on several local boards and committees, contributing
his leadership and insight to improve the Rockford area; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson was an active and devoted member
of Providence Baptist Church on Rockford's south side, where
he found spiritual fulfillment and remained a pillar of the
congregation; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson entered public service by running
for a seat on the Winnebago County Board, challenging the
brother of then-State Representative Zeke Giorgi and securing
a victory; his service on the county board, where he chaired
the Public Works Committee, marked the beginning of a
distinguished career in government; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson served as assistant majority
leader and was a member of several key committees during his
time in the Illinois General Assembly, including Public
Utilities, Labor, Aging, Prison Reform, Gaming, Juvenile
Justice Reform, Tollway Oversight, and the Committee of the
Whole; his commitment to public service was further
exemplified through his leadership as majority conference
chairperson; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson was a strong advocate for his
community; he worked to ensure that a new judicial circuit was

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created to increase minority representation on the bench; he
brought capital construction projects to his district to
create local jobs and repair Rockford's infrastructure and
roadways; he spearheaded a funding project to provide
passenger rail service between Rockford and Chicago; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson tirelessly advocated for the
rights of veterans and seniors, worked to ensure Rockford
schools received their fair share, and was an unrelenting
activist for public safety, supporting initiatives to combat
gang violence and protect programs such as CeaseFire and the
Booker Washington Center; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson's dedication to his community
extended beyond legislation; he maintained a professional and
responsive constituent service office, hosted an annual
Mother's Day luncheon to honor local mothers, and raised funds
for local food pantries; and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson, in recognition of his enduring
impact, was honored by the Booker Washington Center by
dedicating the Chuck Jefferson Library of African American
History and Culture in 2018, a testament to his commitment to
education and the preservation of African American heritage;
and

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WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson was known throughout the Rockford
area and the Illinois House of Representatives for his warm
and approachable nature, his wisdom and genuine understanding,
and his care for the concerns of Illinois and his community;
and
WHEREAS, Rep. Jefferson's legacy continues to inspire
future generations, exemplifying the profound difference one
dedicated individual can make in the lives of others;
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
we mourn the passing of former State Representative Charles E.
Jefferson and honor him for his years of dedicated service;
and be it further